Low-Protein-Fed Chickens Benefit from Probiotic L. salivarius and L. johnsonii on Performance and Microbiota

The present study investigated the effects of two high-performance strains of Lactobacillus on the cecal microbiota of Baicheng Oil Chicken when added to a low-protein diet. A total of 240 Bicheng Oil Chickens at 100 days of age were randomly assigned to two treatments, with four replicates per treatment and 30 chickens per replicate. The control group was fed a low-protein diet (CDG), while the experimental group received the same diet supplemented with Lactobacillus (LDG), comprising Lactobacillus salivarius TRM58163 and Lactobacillus johnsoni TRM59525 (viable bacterial count >=1.37E9 CFU/g). Results indicated that the addition of these Lactobacillus strains significantly enhanced the diversity and richness of the cecal microbiota, increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, and decreased the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria. Correlation analysis revealed a strong association between these microbiota changes and growth performance. Therefore, L. salivarius and L. johnsoni can effectively improve the cecal microbiota of Baicheng Oil Chicken and enhance growth performance, providing valuable theoretical support for the application of Lactobacillus in poultry.